District 7 board approves computer plan

Funding details yet to be okayed

Published: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 9:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 9:08 p.m.

The Spartanburg District 7 school board voted Tuesday night to move forward with a plan to assign every student a laptop or tablet.

Once fully implemented, the digital conversion plan will put MacBook Air laptops in the hands of all middle and high school students and give iPads to elementary students in third, fourth and fifth grades. The multi-phase rollout is expected to begin with teachers before the end of the current school year. Middle and high school students will likely receive devices this fall.

Students will be allowed to use the technology at school and at home.

Superintendent Russell Booker told the board that the new technology could be key in closing achievement gaps and better engaging students in their learning. He said the goal is to create a new model for teaching and learning in the district.

“It's not a fad,” Booker said of the 1:1 technology. “… It's all about disrupting what we're doing in class, and to dabble in it isn't going to bring about change.”

The board unanimously approved the plan itself, but left room for discussion on how to fund the project. Booker said administrators will bring a fiscal plan for board members to consider during their meeting in May.

“We feel very confident that this is going to be very sustainable,” Booker told the board.

The plan is expected to increase the amount District 7 allocates for technology from approximately $1 million to $1.5 million per year.

Board member Eddie Richardson called the plan “visionary” and commended administrators and district leaders for their work to bring it together. Chairman Larry Flynn said the initiative will truly impact student learning.

“We're committed to it,” Flynn said.

The school board's next meeting is scheduled for May 7 at 6 p.m. at the District 7 administrative office.

<p>The Spartanburg District 7 school board voted Tuesday night to move forward with a plan to assign every student a laptop or tablet.</p><p>Once fully implemented, the digital conversion plan will put MacBook Air laptops in the hands of all middle and high school students and give iPads to elementary students in third, fourth and fifth grades. The multi-phase rollout is expected to begin with teachers before the end of the current school year. Middle and high school students will likely receive devices this fall.</p><p>Students will be allowed to use the technology at school and at home.</p><p>Superintendent Russell Booker told the board that the new technology could be key in closing achievement gaps and better engaging students in their learning. He said the goal is to create a new model for teaching and learning in the district.</p><p>“It's not a fad,” Booker said of the 1:1 technology. “… It's all about disrupting what we're doing in class, and to dabble in it isn't going to bring about change.”</p><p>The board unanimously approved the plan itself, but left room for discussion on how to fund the project. Booker said administrators will bring a fiscal plan for board members to consider during their meeting in May.</p><p>“We feel very confident that this is going to be very sustainable,” Booker told the board.</p><p>The plan is expected to increase the amount District 7 allocates for technology from approximately $1 million to $1.5 million per year.</p><p>Board member Eddie Richardson called the plan “visionary” and commended administrators and district leaders for their work to bring it together. Chairman Larry Flynn said the initiative will truly impact student learning.</p><p>“We're committed to it,” Flynn said.</p><p>The school board's next meeting is scheduled for May 7 at 6 p.m. at the District 7 administrative office.</p>